Piano action



Aug. 23, 1955 P. F. MURDOCK 2,715,850

PIANO ACTION Filed June 23, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet l IN VEN TOR.

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United States Patent 6 PIANO ACTION Paul F. Murdock, Clinton, Coma, assignor to Pratt, Read & (10., Inc, Ivoryton, Coma, a corporation of Connecticut Application June 23, 1954, Serial No. 438,825

18 Claims. (Cl. 84-236) This invention relates generally to piano actions, and more particularly to a simple and compact action for pianos or other musical instruments having desirable operating characteristics and which may be provided as a downstriking action for a horizontal instrument or as an inverted action for a small upright instrument. application is a continuation-in-part of application Serial No. 356,713, filed May 22, 1953, now abandoned.

Although pianos and like instruments have been widely used for more than 300 years and although actions for such instruments have been provided which have been considered quite successful, there has been a continuing need for improved actions which are of simple construction, have long life and uniform characteristics so that extensive adjustment is not required, are easily adjustable when such adjustment is required, provide powerful and rapid action, and produce the desired operating characteristics such as letoff and repetition. Further, in order to conform to modern design actions are required which are compact and which are arranged to fit within the space available.

Actions of the down-striking type have previously been used in horizontal pianos but these actions have had the limitation that they are relatively complicated, have changing characteristics with use, and have not been easily adjustable. In certain actions which have been made, the springs which hold the hammers in the position for operation tend to weaken, thus shortening the stroke of the hammers and changing the repetition characteristics. In such actions it has not been possible to easily adjust the springs to compensate for this wear. Further, in actions of this type it has been desirable to reduce the space required for the actions as it is generally desirable to hold the height of the entire piano to a very small distance above the level of the keys.

Inverted actions have also been provided but have been of complicated construction, have required more space than is desired, and have included complicated linkages to transmit motion from the key to the hammer. Here also adjustment has not been easily provided and the repetition and other operating characteristics have not been optimum.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a simple and improved, compact action for a musical instrument.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an inverted piano key and action assembly wherein the components of the action are directly coupled to the key and a simple overall structure is provided.

A feature of this invention is the provision of a piano action having a hammer pivotally connected to a rail structure and a whip pivotally connected to the hammer and carrying a jack adapted to engage the hammer, with the pivots being so constructed to provide rapid repetition.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of a simple and effective action for use with musical instruments wherein the whip is pivoted to the hammer butt, and the back check is secured to the key to engage a portion of the hammer butt extending beyond the pivot thereof.

A further feature of this invention is the provision of a down-striking action wherein the hammer return spring, the connection of the whip to the key, the letoif, the position of the back check, and the damper lifter are all readily adjustable at the top of the action.

A still further feature of this invention is the provision of an action having a double jack structure including a first part engaging the hammer movable with respect to a second part which is engaged by the jack spring, with the second part engaging the letoff so that pressure is removed from the first part before it is released from the hammer. Accordingly, the hammer lets oif readily no matter how slowly or gently the key may be depressed, and return of the key through a very small distance causes engagement of the jack, to thereby provide fast repetition.

Still another feature of this invention is the provision of an inverted action having the hammer pivoted under the key, with the key having a capstan for engaging the whip, and the hammer having a portion engaged by a back check on the key, with both the capstan and the back check being adjustable from the top. The damper may be directly coupled to the key for actuation thereby.

Further objects, features and the attending advantages of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the following description when taken in connection with the following drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a down striking action in accordance with the invention in the rest position;

Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate the action when the key is in different positions;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the various components of the action;

Fig. 5 illustrates the action positioned for adjustment of the hammer return spring;

Fig. 6 illustrates a modified piano action;

Figs. 7 and 8 show different actuated positions of the action of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 illustrates an inverted action in accordance with the invention in a small vertical piano; and

Figs. 10 and 11 show different actuated positions of the action of Fig. 9.

In practicing the invention there is provided a piano action which may be of the down-striking type for use with a piano having horizontally positioned strings, or of the inverted type for use with pianos having vertical strings. The action includes a hammer having the butt thereof pivotally secured to a fixed rail with a hammer return spring positioned between the hammer butt and the rail. A whip is pivotally secured to the hammer butt and a flyjack is pivotally secured to the whip and held in engagement with the hammer butt by a jackspn'ng. An adjustable capstan is provided to connect the whip to the piano key for actuating the key. The hammer butt has a portion extending beyond the pivot thereof adapted to engage a back check secured to the key. A. damper lifter is also provided which is directly coupled to the piano key. The fiyjack includes a portion engaging a letofi secured to a fixed rail for releasing the jack near the end of the hammer stroke so that the hammer freely strikes a string. The jack may be of two-part construction with a first hammer engaging part being movable with respect to a second part engaged by the jack spring, with the second part first engaging the letoff to remove the spring pressure on the first part so that when the jack releases the butt, the hammer lets off freely having no jack spring pressure retarding it. As the key starts upward foranother blow, the hammer remains in its letoif position while spring pressure is restored to the first part of the jack causing it to engage the butt immediately, thus providing fast repetition.

In a down-striking action adjustable means may be provided for the hammer return spring, the whip engaging capstan, the letoii, the back check and the damper lifter, all of which may be readily available from the top of the action without any disassembly of the parts. In the inverted action the whip engaging capstan, the back check and a key return spring may all be adjusted from the top of the key without disassembly of the parts.

Referring now to the drawings, in Figs. 1 to 5 there is illustrated a base structure supporting a key frame 11 having keys 12 positioned thereon. Horizontally positioned strings 13 are supported on the base structure it The action includes rails 14, 15 and 16 which extend transversely of the keys. A flange 17 is secured to the rail 14, and the hammer 13 has a butt portion 19 pivotally secured to this flange. The hammer includes a head 2%) adapted to strike the string 13. A hammer return spring 21 is positioned between the fiange 17 and the hammer butt 19 to return the hammer to the rest position.

Pivotally supported on the hammer butt 19 is a whip 22 and pivotally supported to the whip 22 is a fiyjack 23. A jack spring 24 is positioned between the whip 22 and the jack 23 to hold the jack against the hammer. A recess 29 is provided in the hammer butt 19 for providing a locking engagement with the jack 23. Felt or other resilient material may be provided in the recess 29 to absorb the shock and sound of the interengagement therebetween. The jack 23 includes a finger portion 25 adapted to engage the letotf 26 secured to the rail 15. The rail 15 also includes a felt 27 which serves as a stop for the hammer 18 in the rest position. Engagement of the whip 22 with the back end of the key 12 is provided through the capstan screw 28 which is adjustable as will be more fully set forth.

Secured to the bottom of the key 12 at the back end thereof is a back check 36 adapted to engage a portion 31 of the hammer butt which extends below the pivot thereof. Also secured to the bottom of the key is a damper lifter 32 adapted to engage a hook 33 secured to the damper 34 for lifting the head 35 thereof from the string 13. Adjusting screws 36 and 37 are provided for adjusting the position of the back check 3t) and the damper lifter 32 respectively. A spring 38 normally holds the head 35 of the damper 34 against the string 13.

Figs. 1, 2 and 3 show the action in different positions, with Fig. 1 showing the action at rest, and Figs. 2 and 3 showing the action in different operated positions. In the rest position the spring 2 holds the fiyjack 23 against the hammer butt 1%, so that movement of the key 12 causes counterclockwise movement of the whip 22, jack 23 and hammer 13 as a unit. When the key 12 is depressed to the position shown in Fig. 2 the finger 25 of the jack 23 engages the letotf 26, so that further movement of the key causes the spring 24 to be compressed and the jack 23 to be released from the hwimer. The hammer 13 therefore freely continues in its action to strike the string 13.

Fig. 3 shows the key fully depressed, with the jack 23 being released from the notch in the hammer butt 19. The hammer has rebounded from the string 13 and is part 50.

held in the position adjacent the string by the engagement of the back check 3% with the hammer butt portion 31. As the key is released, the back check will be released to permit the hammer to return to the rest position. The jack 23 will then slip back in the notch 29 in the hammer butt 19 so that further operations can take place.

Fig. 4 illustrates the action in perspective view with certain parts being broken away so that the specific construction thereof is clearly visible. It is apparent from Fig. 4 that the spring 21 between the flange 17 and the hammer butt 19 engages a screw 4-0 in the hammer butt 1?. By adjustment of the screw 441 the tension on the spring 21 can be adjusted, first to provide the desired initial operating characteristics and second, to compensate for weakening of the spring due to wear thereof. It is noted that the whip 22 has a channel configuration including sides l1 which permit simple pivotal connections with the hammer butt 19 and the jack 23 to provide a very simple overall structure. Fig. 4 also illustrates the adjusting screws 36 and 37 which control the back check 30 and the damper lifter 32. It is noted that the screw 37 extends through an opening 42 in the back check 30 so that the back check is not affected by this adjusting screw.

It is obvious from Figs. 1 to 4 that the capstan screw 28 providing the connection between the whip 22 and the key 12 may be easily adjusted from the top of the action. The top end of the screw may have a fiat por tion to facilitate turning the same by a simple tool. Also the screws 36 and 37 may have fiat ends so that these can be easily adjusted from the top of the action. Fig. 5 shows that by rotating the jack 23 and whip 22 in a clockwise direction the head of the screw 40 in the hammer butt 19 is available for adjustment by a tool 45. It is therefore seen that these four important elements may be adjusted from the top of the action without any disassembly of the action. The letoff 26 is supported on a shank threaded in the rail 15 and is obviously adjustable from the top of the action. Accordingly these five adjustments, which are all the necessary adjustments of the action, are all easily available from the top of the action.

In Figs. 6, 7, and 8 there is illustrated a modified embodiment of the action. Corresponding parts of the action are given the same numbers as in the embodiments shown in Figs. 1 through 5. The construction of the fiyjack in the embodiment of Figs. 6, 7, and 8 is changed to include two separate parts. The first main part 54] is pivotally connected to the whip 22 and engages the hammer butt 19 as in the prior embodiments. The second metal clip part 51 has curved end portions 52 and 53 which surround the ends of the part holding the same about this part. The jack parts are held with respect to the whip 22 by spring 54 which engages the metal clip part 51. The spring holds the part 51 against the part 50, so that the part 50 engages the hammer butt 19 as in the prior embodiment.

When the key is depressed and the hammer, whip and jack all rotate counterclockwise, the curved portion 53 of the clip part 51 first engages the letoff 26 as is shown in Fig. 7. The spring pressure is, therefore, released from the part 50 but this part still remains engaged with the hammer butt 19. As the key 12 is further depressed, however, and the hammer structure rotates further, the top end of the jack part 5% engages the inner side of the curved part 53 to restrain further movement of the Accordingly, the jack is released from the hammer 12 so that the hammer moves freely to strike the string. As soon as the jack part 56 is released from the hammer butt 19, it falls back to the position in en gagement with the clip part 51 so that repeating move ment of the key is transferred through the whip and jack to the hammer to cause very fast repeating action of the hammer.

The two-part jack, in removing jack spring pressure from the butt just before letotf, therefore insures that letoff will be positive and ample no matter how slowly or gently the key may be depressed. Further, the two-part jack makes faster repeating action possible since the hammer engagement part immediately drops back to the clip part after being released from the hammer butt so that it is ready for the next movement, and only a small movement of the key is required to cause repeating action of the hammer.

In Figs. 9, l0, and 11 there is illustrated a piano action in accordance with the invention which is of the inverted type. This action may be used with vertically positioned strings to provide a very compact overall piano. The entire piano may be enclosed in a case 29 inches high with a maximum depth of 14 inches at the top. By using a width of inches, 68 keys may be provided. The plate for such a piano is larger than in many other small pianos proposed, with the base strings being longer to thereby provide a better tone. The overall arrangement of the key, action and plate makes it possible to provide an instrument of a minimum of depth and at the same time retain full key length.

The keys are pivoted on a support 61 at the rear ends thereof, and are supported in a raised playing position by spring 62. The screw 69 permits adjustment of the key spring 62. A fixed rail structure is provided including the rail 63 which supports the key spring 62, and on which the hammer 64 is mounted. Rail 65 supports the letoff 66, rail 67 serves as a hammer rest, and rail 68 supports the damper. Piano strings 70 are provided on a plate '71 and are held adjustably tensioned by tuning pin structures including the tuning screw 72 which is threaded into the sleeve 73. The string is secured with respect to the sleeve 73 by a setscrew 74 and by turning the screw 7'2 to draw the sleeve 73 into the block, the tension on the string 70 may be increased very gradually to provide very fine control of the pitch.

The action proper includes the same components and arrangement as in the embodiments shown in Figs. 1 to 8. The hammer includes a butt 75 which is pivotally mounted at '76 to the flange 77 supported on the rail 63. A spring 78 returns the hammer from the string to the normal position as shown in Fig. 9. Pivoted on the hammer butt 75 is a whip 86 positioned to be engaged by the capstan S1 adjustably positioned in the key 60. A jack 82 is pivoted to the whip 8t) and has a finger 83 extending therefrom which is adapted to engage the letoif 66. The hammer butt 75 has an extension 85, extending in the direction away from the hammer head 74, which cooperates with back check 36 also secured to the key 61. An adjustable screw 87 controls the position of the back check and this extends from the top of the key for easy regulation.

The damper 9G is pivoted to the rail 68 and has a head 91 normally in engagement with the string 70. The damper is of L-shape having a portion 92 connected to the rod 93 which has the upper end positioned in a recess 94 in the key 60. Accordingly, as the key is depressed, the damper arm will be pivoted to remove the head 91 from the string. It is noted that the rod 93 does not extend to the top of the recess 94 in the key, so that the damper does not start to move with initial movement of the key but moves only after the key has moved a predetermined distance. An adjustable connection 95 may be provided between the rod 93 and the arm 92 to control the precise operation of the damper.

Figs. 9, 10 and 11 show the action in different operated. positions, with Fig. 9 showing the action in the normal rest position. In this position the spring 62 holds the key with the front end raised in its normal position to be played. The spring 84 holds the jack against the hammer butt, and spring 73 holds the hammer so that it is positioned against the rest 67, with the jack in engagement with the capstan 81. Fig. 10 shows the key being played and the action moved to the position so that the finger 83 on the jack engages the letotf 66. it is noted that the hammer head 74 is in a position close to the string 71 but not in engagement therewith. The projection on the hammer is slightly spaced from the back check 86. Further movement of the key causes the jack to be released and permits the hammer to swing freely to strike the string 71.

After the hammer 64 strikes the string 70, it will rebound therefrom and the movement is then checked as the extension 85 engages the back check 86. This position is shown in Fig. 11. It will be noted that the jack 82 is now released from the hammer butt 75, and it will remain so released until the key is released permitting the action to return to the position shown in Fig. 9. However. as previously stated, the jack 82 is still in engagement with the hammer butt 75 so that repeated oper-' ation of the key 615 will cause repeated operation of the hammer 64 to permit rapid repetition even though the key is not completely released between each stroke.

The action construction makes for easy regulation and adjustment. As previously stated, the capstan 31, the back check adjusting screw 87 and the key spring adjusting screw 69 may all be adjusted from the top of the key 60. Adjustment of the let off 66 and the damper control may be easily provided by removing the front plate 96 of the piano case. The hammer spring 78 may have very little tension since the hammer swings substantially freely about its pivot. Accordingly, this spring will not wear to the same extent as in actions where the spring must litt the entire weight of the hammer. For this reason adjustment of this spring will not be required under normal operating conditions.

The inverted action provides highly desirable operating characteristics in a very small piano structure. The key pivot is located so that the effect of a long key is obtained. In a piano of the dimensions mentioned above, the length of the key from the pivot to the front end may be 12 /2 inches as compared to the usual 7 or 8 inches. The capstan providing actuation of the hammer is also at a relatively long distance from the pivot so that substantial power is provided. These features give the performer the feel and actual advantage closely approaching that of the ideal level action.

It is therefore seen that a simple and effective action for musical instruments has been provided. The action is so constructed that ready adjustment can be made of all the parts thereof which require adjustment. These adjustments are available without any disassembly of the action at the top of the action or at other accessible points.

It will be apparent from the above that the action in accordance with the invention may be advantageously used as a downstriking action with pianos having horizontal strings. The action is of simple construction providing a very compact assembly which requires only very limited space above the strings. Actually the space required is substantially no more than that necessary for the rest position of the hammer to provide a full stroke. Of particular importance is the adjustment of the hamrner return spring which makes it possible to compensate for weakening of this spring after long use of the action. Further, the operating characteristics of the action are very desirable providing the desired touch and permitting very fast repetition.

The action may also be incorporated in an inverted type action with the result that a very compact unit is provided. Complex linkages are not required and the parts requiring adjustment are all readily available for easy regulation of the action. The desirable operation characteristics set forth above are provided in the inverted action.

Although certain embodiments of the invention have been described which are illustrative thereof, it is obvious that various changes and modifications can be made of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A down-striking action for a piano having horizontal strings including in combination, a fixed rail means. a hammer including a butt portion pivotally mounted on said rail means, spring means secured to said rail means and said hammer butt portion for normally holding said hammer away from the strings, a whip pivotally mounted on said hammer butt portion and having a part adapted to be engaged by a piano key to be actuated thereby, jack means pivotally secured to said whip and including a portion adapted to engage said hammer butt portion for transferring movement of said whip to said hammer, spring means operatively connected to said whip and said jack means for holding said jack means in a position engaging said hammer butt portion, and let-off means secured to said rail means positioned to be engaged by a portion of said jack means for releasing said jack means when said hammer has been moved to a predetermined position thereby.

2. A down-striking action for a piano having horizontal strings including in combination, fixed rail means, a hammer including a butt portion pivotally mounted on said rail means, spring means secured to said rail means and said hammer butt portion for normally holding said hammer away from the strings, said spring means including means for adjusting the tension thereof, a whip pivotally mounted on said hammer butt portion and having a part adapted to be engaged by a piano key to be actuated thereby, a jack pivotally secured to said whip and including a portion adapted to engage said hammer butt portion for transferring movement of said Whip to said hammer, spring means operatively connected to said whip and said jack for holding said jack in a position engaging said hammer butt portion, and let-off means secured to said rail means positioned to be engaged by a portion of said jack for releasing said jack when said hammer has been moved to a predetermined position thereby.

3. A piano action including in combination, fiXed rail means, a hammer including a butt portion pivotally mounted on said rail means, spring means secured to said rail means and said hammer butt portion for normally holding said hammer away from said strings, adjusting means for controlling the pressure of said spring means, a whip pivotally mounted on said hammer butt portion and having an adjustable portion adapted to be engaged by a piano key to be actuated thereby, a jack pivotally secured to said whip and including a portion adapted to engage said hammer butt portion for transferring movement of said whip to said hammer, spring means operatively connected to said whip and said jack for holding said jack in a position engaging said hammer butt portion, and let-ofi means secured to said rail means positioned to be engaged by said jack for releasing said jack when said hammer has been moved to a predetermined position thereby.

4. A down-striking action for a piano having horizontal strings including in combination, fixed rail means, a hammer including a butt portion pivotally mounted on said rail means, spring means secured to said rail means and said hammer butt portion for normally holding said hammer away from said strings, means on said hammer butt portion for controlling the pressure of said spring means and ha ing an adjusting portion available at the top of the action, a whip having an adjustable portion adapted to be engaged by a piano key to be actuated thereby, a jack pivotally secured to said whip and including a portion adapted to engage said hammer butt portion for transferring movement of said Whip to said hammer, spring means operatively connected to said whip and said jack for holding said jack in a position engaging said hammer butt portion, and let-ofi means secured to said rail means positioned to be engaged by said jack for releasing said jack when said hammer has been moved to a predetermined position thereby.

5. A piano action including in combination, fixed rail ill 8 means, a hammer including a butt portion pivotally mounted on said rail means, spring means secured to said rail means and said hammer butt portion for normally holding said hammer away from said strings, adjusting means for controlling the pressure of said spring means, a whip pivotally mounted on said hammer butt portion and having a portion adapted to be engaged by a piano key to be actuated thereby, jack means including first and second parts movable with respect to each other a limited amount, with said first part being pivotally secured to said Whip and including a portion adapted to engage said hammer butt portion for transferring movement of said whip to said hammer, spring means operatively connected to said second part of said whip and tending to hold. the same against said first part thereof so that said first part engages said hammer butt portion, and let-off means secured to said rail means positioned to be engaged by said second part of said jack for releasing the pressure on said first part of said jack and for releasing said first part of said jack from said hammer when said hammer has been further moved to a predetermined position.

6. A piano action including in combination, fixed rail means, a hammer including a butt portion pivotally mounted on said rail means, spring means secured to said rail means and said hammer butt portion for normally holding said hammer away from said strings, a whip pivotally mounted on said hammer butt portion and having a portion adapted to engage a piano key to be actuated thereby, jack means including first and second relatively movable parts, with said first part being pivotally secured to said whip and including a portion adapted to engage said hammer butt portion for transferring movement of said whip to said hammer, spring means operatively connected to said second part of said whip and tending to hold the same against said first part thereof so that said first part engages said hammer butt portion, and let-off means secured to said rail means positioned to be engaged by said second part of said jack for releasing the pressure on said first part of said jack and for releasing said first part of said jack from said hammer when said hammer has been further moved to a predetermined position.

7. A piano action including in combination, fixed rail means, a hammer including a butt portion pivotally mounted on said rail means, spring means secured to said rail means and said hammer butt portion for normally holding said hammer away from said strings, a whip having a portion adapted to engage a piano key to be actuated thereby, let-off means secured to said rail means, jack means including first and second relatively movable parts, with said first part being pivotally secured to said whip and including a first portion adapted to engage said hammer butt portion for transferring movement of said whip to said hammer and a let-ofi finger portion movable to a position adjacent said let-off means, said second part being in the form of a clip pivotally secured to said whip along substantially the same axis as said first V part, said second part extending along said finger portion of said first part and having an end curved about the end of said finger portion, spring means operatively connected to said second part of said whip and tending to hold the same against said finger portion of said first part so that said first portion thereof engages said hammer butt portion, said curved end of said second part of said jack engaging said let-ofi means for releasing the pressure on said first part of said jack when said hammer is moved to a first position by the key, with said finger portion of said first part of said jack engaging said curved end of said second part thereof to release said first part from said hammer when said hammer has been further moved to a predetermined position adjacent a string.

8. A down-striking action for a piano having horizontal strings including in combination, a key having a front end adapted to be engaged by a person playing the piano and a back end, fixed rail means, a hammer including a butt portion pivotally mounted on said rail means, spring means secured to said rail means and said hammer butt portion for normally holding said hammer away from the strings, a whip pivotally mounted on said hammer butt portion and having a part adapted to be engaged by said back end of said piano key to be actuated thereby, a jack pivotally secured to said whip and including a portion adapted to engage said hammer butt portion for transferring movement of said whip to said hammer, spring means operatively connected to said whip and said jack for holding said jack in a position engaging said hammer butt portion, let-off means secured to said rail means positioned to be engaged by a portion of said jack for releasing said jack when said hammer has been moved to a predetermined position thereby, and back check means connected to said back end of said piano key adapted. to engage said hammer butt portion to check movement of said hammer after it has struck a string.

9. A down-striking action for a piano having horizontal strings including in combination, a key having a front end adapted to be engaged by a person playing the piano and a back end, fixed rail means, a hammer including a butt portion pivotally mounted on said rail means,

spring means secured to said rail means and said hammer butt portion for normally holding said hammer away from the strings, adjustable means on said hammer butt portion available from the top of the action for controlling the pressure of said spring means, a Whip pivotally mounted on said hammer butt portion and having a part adapted to be engaged by said back end of said piano key to be actuated thereby, a jack pivotally secured to said whip and including a portion adapted to engage said hammer butt portion for transferring movement of said whip to said hammer, spring means operatively connected to said whip and said jack for holding said jack in a position engaging said hammer butt portion, let-off means secured to said rail means positioned to be engaged by a portion of said jack for releasing said jack when said hammer has been moved to a predetermined position thereby, and back check means connected to said back end of said piano key adapted to engage said hammer butt portion to check movement of said hammer after it has struck a string, said back check means including an adjusting screw available at the top of said key for controlling the checking action on said hammer.

10. A down-striking action for a piano having horizontal strings including in combination, a key having a front end adapted to be engaged by a person playing the piano and a back end, fixed rail means, a hammer including a butt portion pivotally mounted on said rail means, spring means secured to said rail means and said hammer butt portion for normally holding said hammer away from the strings, a whip pivotally mounted on said hammer butt portion and having a part adapted to be engaged by said back end of said piano. key to be actuated thereby, jack means pivotally secured to said whip and including a portion adapted to engage said hammer butt portion for transferring movement of said whip to said hammer, spring means operatively connected to said whip and said jack means for holding said jack means in a position engaging said hammer butt portion, let-off means secured to said rail means positioned to be engaged by a portion of said jack means for releasing said jack means when said hammer has been moved to a predetermined position thereby, back check means connected to said back end of said piano key adapted to engage said hammer butt portion to check movement of said hammer after it has struck a string, and damper means including a head portion normally engaging the string and a lifter portion secured to said back end of said piano key for raising said head portion from the string as the key is depressed.

11. A down-striking action for a piano having horizontal strings including in combination, a key having a front end adapted to be engaged by a person playing the piano and a back end, fixed rail means, a hammer ineluding a butt portion pivotally mounted on said rail means, spring means secured to said rail means and said hammer butt portion for normally holding said hammer away from the strings, first adjustable means secured to said hammer butt portion. for adjusting the tension of said spring means, a whip pivotally mounted on said hammer butt portion and having a part adapted to be engaged by said back end of said piano key to be actuated thereby, jack means pivotally secured to said whip and including second adjustable means adapted to engage said hammer butt portion for transferring movement of said whip to said hammer, spring means operatively connected to said whip and said jack means for holding said jack means in a position engaging said hammer butt portion, let-off means including third ad justable means secured to said rail means and positioned to be engaged by a portion of said jack means for releasing said jack means When said hammer has been moved to a predetermined position threby, back check means connected to said back end of said piano key adapted to engage said hammer butt portion to check movement of said hammer after it has struck a string, damper means including a head portion normally engaging the string and a lifter portion secured to said back end of said piano key for raising said head portion from the string as the key is depressed, and fourth and fifth adjustable means secured to said key and engaging said back check means and said damper lifter portion for controlling the position htereof, said first, second, third, fourth and fifth adjustable means all being available at the top of said action tofacilitate adjustment thereof.

12'. A down-striking action for a piano having horizontal strings including in combination, a key having a front end adapted to be engaged by a person playing the piano and a back end, fixed rail means, a hammer including a butt portion pivotally mounted on said rail means, spring means secured to said rail means and said hammer butt portion for normally holding said hammer away from the strings, adjustable means secured to said hammer but portion for controlling the pressure of said spring means, a whip having a part adapted to be engaged by said back end of said piano key to be actuated thereby, jack means pivotally secured to said whip and including a portion adapted to engage said hammer butt portion, for transferring movement of said whip to said hammer, spring means operatively connected to said whip and said jack means for holding said jack means in a position engaging said hammer butt portion, let-off means secured to said rail means positioned to be engaged by a portion of said jack means for releasing said jack means when said hammer has been moved to a predetermined position thereby, back check means connected to said back end of said piano key adapted to engage said hammer butt portion to check movement of said hammer after it has struck a string, damper means including a head portion normally engaging the string and a lifter portion secured to said back end of said piano key for raising said head portion from the string as the key is depressed, and first and second adjusting screws in said back end of said piano key, with said first adjusting screw engaging said back check means for adjusting the position thereof, and said second adjusting screw engaging said damper lifter portion for adjusting the position thereof.

13. A piano action including in combination, fixed rail means, a piano key supported on said rail means, a hammer including a butt portion pivotally mounted on said rail means, spring means secured to said rail means and said hammer butt portion for normally holding said hammer away from the piano strings, a whip pivotally mounted on said hammer butt portion, adjustable means for applying movement of said piano key to said whip, a jack pivotally secured to said whip and including a portion adapted to engage said hammer butt portion for transferring movement of said whip to said hammer, spring means operatively connected to said whip and said jack for holding said jack in a position engaging said hammer butt portion, and let-off means secured to said rail means positioned to be engaged by said jack for releasing said jack when said hammer has been moved to a predetermined position thereby.

14. A piano action including in combination, fixed rail means, a piano key supported on said rail means, a hammer including a butt portion pivotally mounted on said rail means, spring means secured to said rail means and said hammer butt portion for normally holding said hammer away from the piano strings, a whip pivotally mounted on said hammer butt portion, adjustable means for applying movement of said piano key to said whip, a jack pivotally secured to said whip and including a portion adapted to engage said hammer butt portion for transferring movement of said whip to said hammer, spring means operatively connected to said Whip and said jack for holding said jack in a position engaging said hammer butt portion, let-off means secured to said rail means positioned to be engaged by said jack for releasing said jack when said hammer has been moved to a position adjacent a string so that the hammer moves freely to strike the string, and back check means connected to said piano key and positioned to engage said hammer butt portion to check movement of said hammer after it has struck a string.

15. An inverted action for a piano having vertical strings including in combination, fixed rail means, a piano key pivotally supported at one end thereof on said rail means, a hammer supported below said piano key and including a butt portion pivotally mounted on said rail means, spring means secured to said rail means and said hammer butt portion for normally holding said hammer away from the piano strings, a whip pivotally mounted on said hammer butt portion, an adjustable capstan projecting below said key for applying movement of said piano key to said whip, a jack pivotally secured to said whip and including a portion adapted to engage said hammer butt portion for transferring movement of said whip to said hammer, spring means operatively connected to said whip and said jack for holding said jack in a position engaging said hammer butt portion, let-off means secured to said rail means positioned to be engaged by said jack for releasing said jack when said hammer has been moved to a position adjacent a string so that the hammer moves freely to strike the string, and back check means connected to said piano key and positioned to engage said hammer butt portion to check movement of said hammer after it has struck a string.

16. An inverted action for a piano having vertical strings including in combination, fixed rail means, a piano key supported on said rail means, a hammer supported below said piano key and including a butt portion pivotally mounted on said rail means, said hammer butt portion normally holding said hammer away from the piano strings, a whip pivotally mounted on said hammer butt portion, a capstan projecting below said key for applying movement of said piano key to said whip, a jack pivotally secured to said whip and including a portion adapted to engage said hammer butt portion for Cir transferring movement of said whip to said hammer, spring means operatively connected to said Whip and said jack for holding said jack in a position engaging said hammer butt portion, let-off means secured to said rail means positioned to be engaged by said jack for releasing said jack when said hammer has been moved to a position adjacent a string so that the hammer moves freely to strike the spring, back check means connected to said piano key and positioned to engage said hammer butt portion to check movement of said hammer after it has struck a string, and damper means including a head portion normally engaging the piano string, and operating means secured to said piano key for moving said head portion from the spring as said key is depressed.

17. An inverted action for a piano having vertical strings including in combination, fixed rail means, a piano key supported on said rail means, a hammer supported below said key and including a butt portion pivotally mounted on said rail means, spring means secured to said rail means and said hammer butt portion for normally holding said hammer away from the piano strings, a whip pivotally mounted on said hammer butt portion, a capstan adjustably positioned on said piano key for applying movement of said key to said whip, a jack pivotally secured to said whip and including a portion adapted to engage said hammer butt portion for transferring movement of said whip to said hammer, spring means operatively connected to said whip and said jack for holding said jack in a position engaging said hammer butt portion, and let-otf means secured to said rail means and positioned to be engaged by said jack for releasing the same when said hammer has been moved to a predetermined position thereby.

18. An inverted action for a piano having vertical strings including in combination, fixed rail means, a piano key pivotally supported at one end thereof on said rail means, spring means adjustable from the top of said key for holding said key in raised position, a hammer supported below said key and including a butt portion pivotally mounted on said rail means, spring means secured to said rail means and said hammer butt portion for normally holding said hammer away from the piano strings, a whip pivotally mounted on said hammer butt portion, a capstan adjustably secured to said key and extending therebelow for applying movement of said piano key to said whip, said capstan being adjustable from above said key, a jack pivotally secured to said whip and including a portion adapted to engage said hammer butt portion for transferring movement of said whip to said hammer, spring means operatively connected to said Whip and said jack for holding said jack in a position engaging said hammer butt portion, adjustable let-off means secured to said rail means positioned to be engaged by said jack for releasing said jack when said hammer has been moved to a predetermined position thereby, and back check means extending on the underside of said key to engage said hammer butt portion to check movement of said hammer after it has struck a string, said back check means including a portion of the upper side of said key for adjusting the same.

No references cited. 

